Method used to display alerts

Abstract

A method for displaying an alarm (4) for warning of insufficient available drive power in an electric vehicle, comprising the following steps: detecting (32) a measured value for determining the current power of an energy accumulator of the electric vehicle by means of a detection unit (24), determining (34) the current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy accumulator based on the detected measured value by means of a processing unit (22), comparing (36) the current peak power and / or continuous power with a threshold value for peak power and / or continuous power by means of the processing unit (22), and displaying (38) the alarm (4) by means of a display device (14) when the threshold value for peak power and / or continuous power is lowered, wherein the method is only started when an attempt is made to establish (30) readiness to drive.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for displaying a warning for warning of insufficient available drive power in an electric vehicle. The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a system. Background Art

[0002] The driving performance of electric vehicles depends significantly on the cell chemistry of the high-voltage battery used, as well as on the temperature. A distinction is made between peak power and continuous power within the high-voltage battery, which can sometimes differ significantly at low temperatures and / or low energy content. For example, such battery behavior can be safety-critical when a driver is driving on a highway in cold weather with a low battery charge. For this reason, it is advisable to warn the driver accordingly.

[0003] Methods and systems for monitoring and checking the state, in particular the state of the capacity, of a vehicle battery are known from the prior art, for example from patent documents DE 10 2013 220 015 A1 and US 2017 / 0254858 A1.

[0004] Patent document DE 10 2013 220 015 A1 relates to a system and a method for estimating the available capacity of a battery element in a vehicle.

[0005] Patent document US2017 / 0254858 A1 relates to a system and method for monitoring and checking the status of a battery.

[0006] Although systems and methods known from the prior art for checking the state of a vehicle battery display a warning when a critical battery state is determined, these methods and systems only check the battery state itself and, for example, do not check the available drive power attributable to the battery state. Consequently, the available drive power is often not determined sufficiently accurately. Furthermore, the known methods and systems for warning about a determined critical battery state can only be used continuously, not only when needed, so that the driver is sometimes unnecessarily disturbed by the warning. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to at least partially overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of a method or system for displaying an alarm for warning of insufficient available drive power in an electric vehicle. In particular, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method and system for warning of insufficient available drive power, which ensure an effective and at the same time user-friendly warning of insufficient available drive power in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0008] The technical problem is solved by a method for displaying a warning for warning of insufficient drive power available in an electric vehicle, and a system for displaying a warning for warning of insufficient drive power available in an electric vehicle. Further features and details are provided in the description and the drawings. The technical features disclosed for the method according to the invention also apply in conjunction with the system according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosures concerning the individual aspects of the invention are always cross-referenced or can be cross-referenced.

[0009] The specific method for displaying a warning can preferably be used in vehicles that are at least partially electrically operated, such as hybrid vehicles or fully electrically operated vehicles. In addition to being used in motor vehicles, such as cars or trucks, the specific method can also be used in commercial vehicles, ships or aircraft. The method according to the present invention for displaying a warning for warning of insufficient drive power available in an electric vehicle comprises the following steps: detecting measured values ​​for determining the current power of an energy storage device of the electric vehicle by means of a detection unit; determining the current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy storage device based on the detected measured values ​​by means of a processing unit; comparing the current peak power and / or continuous power with a peak power and / or continuous power threshold value by means of the processing unit; and displaying a warning by means of a display device when the peak power and / or continuous power threshold value is lower than the peak power and / or continuous power threshold value, wherein the method is only started when an attempt is made to establish driving readiness.

[0010] Within the scope of the present invention, peak power is understood to mean, in particular, the maximum instantaneous power that can be achieved, preferably available for a short period of time of 1 to 30 seconds. Within the scope of the present invention, continuous power is understood to mean, in particular, the maximum power that can be achieved continuously, preferably available for significantly longer periods of time of several minutes to several hours. Furthermore, according to the present invention, threshold values ​​are understood to mean determined or determinable values ​​for peak power and continuous power, which can be determined, for example, so that the vehicle performing the specific method can still travel a certain minimum distance, such as at least being able to maneuver or reach a charging station. Finally, within the scope of the present invention, "attempting to establish driving readiness" is understood to mean, in particular, the process of initiating or starting a driving process. This process is therefore preferably different from simply starting the vehicle, in which the vehicle should not be moving. Establishing driving readiness should preferably be a criterion or prerequisite for performing the method according to the present invention. The specific determination of the current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy accumulator based on the detected measured values ​​by means of a processing unit may preferably include temporary processing of the detected measured values. This can include, for example, a simple averaging or weighting of the individual measured values, or even complex data analysis methods.

[0011] The present invention recognizes that by specifically providing a warning about insufficient available drive power, in particular by starting the method only when attempting to establish drive readiness, a particularly user-friendly warning about insufficient available drive power is ensured, wherein the driver is not disturbed by the warning during the charging process or when simply starting the engine without intending to start a driving process. The specifically provided step for determining insufficient available drive power also allows a particularly reliable check on whether a driving process is still possible, thereby also ensuring that a warning is only issued when necessary.

[0012] In order to determine the current power of the energy storage device in a simple and simultaneously as precise manner as possible, it can be advantageous to provide that the detection of the measured values ​​for determining the current power of the energy storage device includes detecting the current voltage and / or the current current and / or the current temperature and / or the current state of charge and / or the current component temperature and / or the current energy content. Furthermore, additional parameters, such as the life of the energy storage device, etc., can also be taken into account. Within the scope of a particularly flexibly adaptable method, individual parameters, such as the current voltage and / or the current current, can also be determined in principle, while other parameters, such as the current temperature or the like, can be determined only when necessary, for example, starting from reaching a specific threshold value.

[0013] Specifically, with regard to the continuous warning of insufficient available drive power, it can also be advantageous to provide that the method is at least partially performed regularly during vehicle operation. The method is preferably performed in defined and / or determinable periodic intervals, so that a warning is displayed not only when the vehicle is started, but also during vehicle operation if correspondingly defined conditions are met, in particular if the peak power and / or continuous power fall below a threshold value. The defined and / or determinable periodic intervals can be, for example, a time period of 500 ms, 5 minutes, or the like, or a length interval of a traveled distance, such as 5 km, 10 km, etc. According to another variant, for example, after the first execution of the method steps according to the present invention, it is also possible to redefine the time period or the distance traveled each time a specific method step should be performed again. In contrast to periodically performed method steps, individual method steps, such as determining the current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy storage device, can also be performed continuously and continuously in the processing unit.

[0014] In order to provide a particularly effective and efficient warning of insufficient available drive power, it can be advantageous to provide for the warning to be generated in the form of a visual and / or acoustic signal. A visual warning can be implemented, for example, in the form of a warning symbol or warning text. Alternatively or additionally, other signal forms, such as a vibrating signal, can also be used. In particular, within the scope of a particularly effective warning, multiple warning forms, such as visual, acoustic, and vibrating warnings, can be combined.

[0015] In the context of providing a particularly early and predictive warning of insufficient available drive power, the present invention advantageously provides that, in addition to issuing an alarm when the peak power and / or continuous power falls below a threshold value, a pre-warning is also issued when the power falls below a specific or determinable multiple of the threshold value, wherein the multiple is preferably at least 1.25 times the threshold value. Advantageously, the pre-warning differs from the alarm in its form. Thus, for example, provision can be made for the pre-warning to be displayed in the form of a different symbol, a different color, a different intensity, etc. Thus, for example, it is conceivable that the pre-warning is presented in the form of a yellow symbol and the subsequent alarm is generated in the form of a red symbol, or that the pre-warning has a smaller size than the alarm.

[0016] To ensure the most flexible and adaptable warning of insufficient available drive power, it can also be provided that the threshold value is independently adjustable, preferably determined as a function of the achievable machine speed. The achievable machine speed can, in particular, be designed in the form of a motor speed to be defined. Determining the achievable machine speed allows, in particular, the determination of the maximum achievable speed, so that the threshold value can advantageously be applied or adapted to a maximum achievable speed, such as 15 km / h. It can also be provided that the threshold value is adapted to a maximum drivable distance, such as 500 meters or several kilometers, so that a charging station can still be reached or at least the vehicle can be parked at a selected location after the warning is issued. Furthermore, adaptation to a maximum gradient to be overcome, such as 5%, can also be provided.

[0017] Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided within the scope of the present invention that an alarm is issued based on additional factors, such as a motor speed that falls below a previously defined value. For example, the alarm can be issued only if, in addition to falling below the peak power and / or continuous power, the motor speed also falls below a definable value, such as 4000 min / min. -1 (approximately equivalent to 50km / h) when an alarm is issued.

[0018] In the context of estimating the still available drive power as precisely as possible, it is also conceivable to take into account the expected consumption of auxiliary energy consumers when determining the threshold value.

[0019] In order to be able to intervene in the still available drive power and influence it in the event of low drive power, the present invention can also advantageously provide for generating a solution proposal during or after the display of the alarm, wherein the solution proposal is preferably a proposal for generating higher drive power. The solution proposal can particularly include a proposal for adapting the current energy consumption or also a proposal for adapting the operation of auxiliary energy consumers. Within the scope of a simple embodiment, the solution proposal can preferably also include adapting the operation from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that more than two operating modes can be provided.

[0020] Also included as a technical solution of the present invention is a system for displaying an alarm, which is used to warn of insufficient drive power available for use in an electric vehicle. The system according to the present invention includes a detection unit for detecting a measured value for determining the current power of an energy accumulator of an electric vehicle, a processing unit for determining the current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy accumulator based on the detected measured value and for comparing the current peak power and / or continuous power with a threshold value of the peak power and / or continuous power, and a display device for displaying an alarm when the peak power and / or continuous power is below the threshold value. The specific detection unit can preferably be integrated in the energy accumulator or arranged on the energy accumulator. The detection unit can preferably have a sensor unit or sensor for detecting a measured value for determining the current power of the energy accumulator. The sensor can be arranged directly on the system or, for example, remotely from the system.

[0021] In the context of a compact and cost-effective design of the specific system, it can also be provided that the processing unit is designed in the form of an engine control unit. The engine control unit is anyway coupled to the energy accumulator and is therefore already arranged near the energy accumulator, thus enabling simple and uncomplicated data transmission.

[0022] In particular, it can be advantageous to provide for simple integration and, at the same time, particularly effective warning of low driving power, for the display device to be designed in the form of an instrument display and / or instrument cluster and / or a head-up display. It is also conceivable to design the specific display element in the form of a capacitive display, etc., located away from the steering wheel. For particularly effective warning, it is also conceivable to use multiple of the aforementioned display formats and, thus, multiple display devices simultaneously within the vehicle.

[0023] A motor vehicle is also provided as a technical solution of the present invention, which comprises the aforementioned system for displaying a warning signal for warning about insufficient available drive power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and the description can be essential for the invention individually or in any combination.

[0025] In the attached figure:

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic illustration of the individual steps of the method according to the invention for displaying a warning for warning of insufficient available drive power in an electric vehicle is shown,

[0027] Figure 2A schematic illustration of the essential components of a system according to the invention for displaying an alarm for warning of insufficient available drive power in an electric vehicle is shown,

[0028] Figure 3 Shown is a schematic illustration of the interior of a motor vehicle, in which the method according to the present invention for displaying a warning is carried out. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic illustration of the individual steps of the method according to the invention for displaying an alarm 4 for warning of insufficient available drive power is shown.

[0030] The specific method here comprises the following steps, namely generating 30 a driving preparation, and then detecting 32 measured values ​​for determining the current power of an energy storage device of the electric vehicle by means of a detection unit 24, determining 34 the current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy storage device based on the detected measured values ​​by means of a processing unit 22, comparing 36 the current peak power and / or continuous power with a threshold value for the peak power and / or continuous power by means of the processing unit 22, and displaying 38 an alarm 4 by means of a display device 14 if the threshold value for the peak power and / or continuous power is fallen below.

[0031] The step of detecting 32 measured values ​​for determining the current power of the energy storage device can include, in particular, detecting the current voltage and / or current current and / or current temperature and / or current charge state and / or current component temperature and / or current energy content. The warning 4 shown in step 28 can also be implemented in the form of a visual and / or acoustic signal, but can also be implemented in other signal forms, such as a vibration signal, etc. For particularly effective warnings, multiple warning forms can also be combined.

[0032] The threshold values ​​for the peak power and / or continuous power, which are compared with the current peak power and / or continuous power in step 36, can advantageously be set independently and can be determined, for example, based on the maximum achievable machine speed, etc. In order to estimate the still available drive power as accurately as possible, it is also conceivable to take into account the expected consumption of auxiliary energy consumers when determining the threshold values.

[0033] Figure 2A schematic diagram shows the main components of a system 2 according to the present invention for displaying an alarm 4 for warning of insufficient available drive power. The specific system 2 includes a detection unit 24 for detecting 32 measured values ​​for determining the current power of an energy storage device of an electric vehicle, a processing unit 22 for determining 34 the current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy storage device based on the detected measured values ​​and for comparing 36 the current peak power and / or continuous power with a threshold value for the peak power and / or continuous power, and a display device 14 for displaying 38 the alarm 4 if the threshold value for the peak power and / or continuous power is fallen below. To ensure the most efficient exchange of information, the individual components of the specific system 2 can advantageously be interconnected via control lines (not shown here). To ensure the most flexible and easily integrable design of the specific system 2, the individual components can alternatively communicate with each other wirelessly or contactlessly via Bluetooth, WLAN, Zigbee, or the like.

[0034] In a compact and cost-effective embodiment of the specific system 2 , the processing unit 22 can be designed in particular in the form of an engine control unit which is already coupled to the energy accumulator and is therefore already arranged near the energy accumulator, thereby enabling simple and uncomplicated data transmission.

[0035] According to the present invention, the display device 14 is designed, in particular, in the form of an instrument display and / or an instrument cluster and / or a head-up display. It is also possible to design the specific display element in the form of a capacitive display, etc., that is arranged away from the steering wheel. For particularly effective warnings, it is also conceivable to use multiple of the aforementioned display formats and, thus, multiple display devices 14 simultaneously within the vehicle.

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic illustration of the interior of a motor vehicle is shown, in which the method according to the invention for displaying an alarm 4 for warning of insufficient available drive power is carried out.

[0037] Warning 4, which is in the form of a warning symbol 10 and a warning text 12, is displayed to the driver both on the instrument cluster arranged near the steering wheel 6 and via a capacitive display arranged away from the steering wheel 6. Further notifications 16 can also be seen on the capacitive display, which may be, for example, further warnings or also suggested solutions provided in connection with warning 4.

[0038] The method and system 2 according to the present invention for displaying a warning 4 for warning about insufficient available drive power make it possible in particular to provide a particularly user-friendly warning about insufficient available drive power, wherein the driver is not disturbed by the warning 4 during a charging process or when simply starting the engine without intending to start a driving process. Due to the specifically provided steps for determining insufficient available drive power, it is also possible to check in a particularly reliable manner whether a driving process is still possible, thereby also ensuring that a warning is only issued when necessary.

[0039] Reference Signs List

[0040] 2System for displaying alerts

[0041] 4 alarms

[0042] 6 steering wheel

[0043] 10 warning symbols

[0044] 12 warning text

[0045] 14 Display devices

[0046] 16Other Notices

[0047] 20 Windshield

[0048] 22 processing units

[0049] 24 detection units

[0050] 30 Establishing driving preparation

[0051] 32 Detection measurement value

[0052] 34 Determine the current peak power and / or continuous power

[0053] 36 Compare the current peak power and / or continuous power with the threshold

[0054] 38 Display Alert

Claims

1. A method for displaying an alarm (4) for warning of insufficient drive power available in an electric vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: - detecting (32) a measured value for determining the current power of an energy storage device of the electric vehicle by means of a detection unit (24), - determining (34) the current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy storage device based on the detected measured values ​​by means of a processing unit (22), - comparing (36) the current peak power and / or continuous power with a threshold value for peak power and / or continuous power by means of the processing unit (22), - displaying (38) an alarm (4) by means of a display device (14) when a threshold value for peak power and / or continuous power is fallen below, It is characterized in that The method is only started when an attempt is made to establish (30) readiness to travel, wherein, in addition to issuing an alarm (4) when the peak power and / or continuous power falls below a threshold value, a pre-alarm is also issued when the power falls below a certain or determinable multiple of the threshold value, wherein the threshold values ​​are determined or determinable values ​​of the peak power and the continuous power, which are determined so that the vehicle can still travel a certain minimum distance.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The detection (32) of measured values ​​for determining the current power of the energy storage device includes detecting the current voltage and / or the current current and / or the current temperature and / or the current state of charge and / or the current component temperature and / or the current energy content.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The method is at least partially performed regularly during operation of the vehicle, wherein the method is performed in defined and / or determinable periodic sections.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The warning (4) is designed in the form of a visual and / or acoustic signal.

5. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The multiple is at least 1.25 times the threshold.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The threshold values ​​can be adjusted independently.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The expected consumption of the auxiliary energy consumers is taken into account when determining the threshold value.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that A solution suggestion is generated during display (38) of the alert (4) or after display (38) of the alert (4).

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The threshold value can be determined as a function of the achievable machine speed.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The solution proposed is a proposal for generating a higher drive power.

11. A system (2) for displaying an alarm (4) for warning of insufficient drive power available in an electric vehicle, the system being configured to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8, the system comprising: a detection unit (24) for detecting (32) a measured value for determining the current power of an energy storage device of an electric vehicle, a processing unit (22) for determining (34) a current peak power and / or continuous power of the energy storage device based on the detected measured values ​​and for comparing (36) the current peak power and / or continuous power with a threshold value for the peak power and / or continuous power, A display device (14) is provided for displaying (38) an alarm (4) when a threshold value of peak power and / or continuous power is fallen below.

12. The system according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The processing unit (22) is designed in the form of an engine control device.

13. The system according to claim 11 or 12, It is characterized in that The display device (14) is designed in the form of an instrument display and / or an instrument cluster and / or a head-up display.

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